Dissertation Marking Criteria
The relative weighting of the different criteria will depend on the research context. For example a project which is essentially literature based will have greater weighting on the criteria relating to literature, whereas a project for which there are few appropriate alternative research methods would not have as great a weighting on the research methods criteria as others.
Satisfactory for MSc
Please note the following assessment criteria does not apply to the IAE project module, which is provided by the course leader separately: WM9J7-60: Project for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Criteria |
80+ |
70 -79 |
60 – 69 |
50-59 |
Formulate a research question and derived objectives suitable for the degree and consistent with the time and resource available to conduct the research. Achievement of project objectives. |
The research question and derived objectives are well argued, clear and appropriate. A gap in current knowledge and understanding is likely to have been identified. Expected outcomes are expressly articulated and appropriate. |
The research question and derived objectives are clear and appropriate. Expected outcomes are very clear, are articulated and generally achievable with the time and resource available. |
The research question is clear but derivation of the objectives may not always be obvious. Expected outcomes are clear. |
Research topic is outlined and justified. Objectives are stated. Expected outcomes may be unclear. |
The work was perfectly scoped to have been carried out in a balanced manner in the time expected to be available. |
The work was scoped to have been carried out in the time expected to be available. |
The work was satisfactorily scoped appropriately to have been carried out in the time expected to be available with only some minor aspects overlooked. |
The work was mainly scoped to have been carried out in the time expected to be available but with minor aspects overlooked. |
|
Project objectives irrefutably achieved. There is no evidence of incomplete work. |
Project objectives have been achieved. There is no significant evidence of incomplete work. |
Project objectives have mostly been achieved. There is little evidence of incomplete work. |
Project objectives have been generally achieved. There is some evidence of incomplete work. |
|
Critically evaluate the context of the research, synthesising ideas from a referenced review of relevant source material. |
Shows an exceptionally well developed capacity for independent thought demonstrated by exhaustive critical analysis of the literature in the area of application and also demonstrating outstandingly skilful synthesis of disparate sources. |
Shows very highly developed ability to analyse, synthesise and apply knowledge and concepts demonstrated by a comprehensive critical analysis of the literature in the area of application and also demonstrating skilful synthesis of disparate sources. |
A good attempt at analysis, synthesis and application of a wide range of knowledge and concepts. There is appreciation of the main issues and the ability to make critical points and substantiate them. |
An attempt at analysis, synthesis and application of knowledge and concepts has been made. There is tendancy towards to rely on easily obtained background source materials and wide use of poorly authenticated material. This material may not show full integration with the research. |
All sources are properly cited and listed and references and bibliography are distinct. Reliability of sources is addressed fully in analysis. |
All sources are cited and listed and references and bibliography are distinct. Reliability of sources is addressed in analysis. |
Sources used are correctly cited and listed but references and bibliography are not distinct. Reliability of sources is not fully addressed in analysis. |
Sources used are generally correctly cited and listed. Reliability of sources discussed but not addressed in analysis. |
|
Select and justify choice of approach taken in research (i.e. research methods) to suit the requirements of the specific research question and to consider risks in carrying out the project appropriately, applying suitable mitigations. |
Shows the full and appropriate selection of and the application of tools/ techniques and approaches used through a rigorous research methodology. Substantive consideration of the risk associated with the project execution and substantive and appropriate mitigation has been planned. |
Clearly demonstrates full understanding and appropriate application of relevant tools/ techniques with a clear and well-argued methodology. Comprehensive consideration of the risk associated with the project execution and comprehensive and suitable mitigation has been planned. |
Demonstrates good understanding and appropriate application of relevant tools/techniques with a clear but maybe incomplete methodological argument. Some reliance on statement of potential research methods with some discussion of their application to the research topic. Clear indication of consideration of the risk associated with the project execution and suitable mitigation has been planned. Better analysis techniques may be available but are not used. |
Demonstrates understanding and application of relevant tools/techniques with an incomplete methodological argument. Over reliance on statement of potential research methods with limited discussion of their application to the research topic. Better analysis techniques may be available but are not used and those that are used do not have complete justification in the methodology. Some indication of consideration of the risk associated with the project execution and some mitigation has been planned. |
Devise and perform an investigation, informed by the findings of previous workers in the field, efficiently utilising available resources and dealing with problems appropriately. |
Shows a complete conceptual understanding and an outstanding level of technical competence is demonstrated. The analysis, synthesis and application of knowledge and concepts are excellent. Shows a highly developed capacity for independent thought demonstrated by exhaustive analysis of the area of application. |
Shows a near complete conceptual understanding and an excellent level of technical competence. The analysis, synthesis and application of knowledge and concepts are good. There is a complete appreciation of the main issues and the ability to make critical points and substantiate them. |
Shows a sound and thorough grasp of the subject matter, good conceptual understanding and a good level of technical competence. The analysis, synthesis and application of knowledge and concepts are competent. There is appreciation of the main issues and there is the ability to make critical points and substantiate them. |
Although the work may contain some errors, it is technically competent. The analysis, synthesis and application of knowledge and concepts are competent but relatively routine. There is some appreciation of the main issues and there is some ability to make critical points and substantiate them. |
Present findings in the dissertation with clarity, appropriately evaluating the confidence that should be placed in any findings. |
Demonstrates exceptional creativity and originality in application of thought or knowledge and is suitable for circulation wider than the place where the work was carried out (for example it may be suitable for publication in a peer reviewed journal with no more than minor revisions). Discussion of all concepts used, even very complex ones, are easy to follow and understand and any supporting arguments are easy to follow and understand. Has conclusions which are fully justifed and supported by the evidence presented, and meets the project objectives. |
There is an excellent demonstration of creativity and originality in application of thought or knowledge that can be used more generally and in wider applications than the specific type of task studies (for example it may be suitable for publication at a conference, with no more than minor revisions). Discussion of all concepts used is easy to follow and any supporting arguments are easy to follow. The work is very well argued; all the main issues are explored and evaluated and the reasons for the conclusions are clearly indicated. |
There is good demonstration of creativity and originality in application of thought or knowledge that can only be applied to the specific task studied. Discussion of most concepts used is easy to follow and any supporting arguments are easy to follow. There is good comment on the evidence and materials used in the task with possibly some minor errors that would not have a serious effect on the outcomes which are related to the originally established objectives. |
There is a fair demonstration of creativity and originality in application of thought or knowledge that can be applied to the specific task studied. Discussion of some concepts used is easy to follow, and any supporting arguments are generally easy to follow. There is sensible comment on the evidence and materials used in the task and the general outcomes are sound and where confusion or gaps exist, they would not substantially affect the outcomes. |
Recommendations for further work (where applicable) are practical, detailed and convincing. With clear indication that consideration has been given to additional resources required to undertake the work. |
Recommendations for further work (where applicable) are practical and convincing, with some indication that resource requirements have been considered. |
Recommendations and conclusions (where applicable) are practical and convincing, with some indication that resource requirements have been considered. |
Recommendations and conclusions (where applicable) are practical and could be acted on. |
|
Demonstration of benefit of work undertaken. |
Undeniably illustrates the generic benefits and/or, where appropriate, the industrial worth of the research carried out and the candidate's total mastery of the subject matter. |
Convincingly illustrates the generic benefits and/or, where appropriate, the industrial worth of the research carried out and the candidate's mastery of the subject matter. |
Strongly illustrates the generic benefits and/or, where appropriate, the industrial worth of the research carried out and demonstrated the candidate's strong knowledge of the subject matter. |
Weakly illustrates the generic benefits and/or, where appropriate, the industrial worth of the research carried out and demonstrates the candidate's knowledge of the subject matter is acceptable. |
Presentation of dissertation |
Well-structured with outstanding use of headings and sub-sections that clearly show the development of a logical argument. All points can be appreciated in one reading. |
Well-structured with excellent use of headings and sub-sections that show the development of a logical argument. Most points can be appreciated in one reading. |
The work is easy to read and understand and is well thought through. Overall structure and the length are appropriate. Main points can be appreciated in one reading. |
A satisfactory overall structure that may lack balance in certain areas or fails to integrate fully all of the material. Possible inclusion of irrelevant information. It is easy to appreciate the main points in one reading. Some points may required rereading. |
Extremely well produced showing outstanding written communication skills with fautless grammar and spellng. |
Well produced, showing a high level of written communication skills with few grammatical and spelling errors. |
Effective presentation of dissertation, showing generally good written communication skills with good spelling and grammar. |
It is acceptably written with adequate spelling and grammar although may contain some minor errors. |
|
Diagrams where used are appropriately titled and referenced in the text. The contents sheet includes all the sub-sections and relevant page numbers. All pages are correctly and clearly numbered. |
Diagrams, contents sheet, page numbering, references and bibliography are presented correctly with few or no errors. |
Diagrams, contents sheet, page numbering, references and bibliography are generally well presented with only minor errors of indexing, proofreading or photocopying. |
Diagrams, contents sheet, page numbering, references and bibliography are satisfactorily presented but may contain errors or show inconsistency. |
Ethics
Ethics okay | Ethics not okay | |
Conduct research in an ethically responsible manner obtaining ethical approval when necessary |
Ethical approval is required, and evidence has been provided that ethical approval has been sought and granted. OR Ethical approval is not required for this research. |
Ethical approval is required, and has been granted but supporting evidence of approval is poor or missing. OR Ethical approval is required, but has not been sought/granted. OR Research has been undertaken unethically. |
Not satisfactory for MSc
1 It is recognised that in some project areas, limited “academic” literature will be available so reliance will need to be placed on alternative sources such as commercial literature and information. In such cases clear indication of awareness of and allowances for possible biases would be expected. The term “literature” as used above should therefore be interpreted as source material appropriate for the area for study.